Learners impress with speeches

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The Dias Museum hosted its annual speech contest for Grade 10 and 11 learners on 18 May, International Museum Day.

The competition is open to learners who study English as their first additional language.

Sixteen speakers representing Curro Mossel Bay, Indwe Secondary School, Hillcrest Secondary School, Albertinia High School and Sao Bras High School impressed the adjudicators with their content and delivery.

In his welcoming speech, museum manager Mbulelo Mrubata said 10 percent of the museums in Africa are situated in the Western Cape, which is indeed something for the residents of the province to be proud of.

Speakers had a choice of five topics to address and presented their arguments to the adjudicating panel: Cornelle Carstens, news editor of the Mossel Bay Advertiser; Matthews Ntshanyana, translator and justice department employee; and Claire du Plessis, well known community leader, teacher and public speaker.

The top five positions were taken by Chamaré Caffoen (Sao Bras), Esethu Bhobhozayo (Indwe), Seria Pretorius (Curro), Ayabonga Hlumkeza (Hillcrest) and Arno Hugo (Curro). These five learners will participate in the gala speech evening in September, which is Heritage Month.

Head adjudicator, Claire du Plessis commended the learners on their exceptional vocabulary, given that English is not their first language. Du Plessis has been involved with the speech contest for 13 years and is a seasoned public speaker herself.

Concluding last night's event, Harold Muller, chairman of the museum management committee, said what struck him particularly was the pleasant spirit in which the evening was conducted.

"There is a wonderful atmosphere tonight. We are all here, together and in good spirits. So different to what South Africa is looking like right now. What we see here tonight, is what our country should be experiencing," Muller said.

Barry Jooste, speech contest organiser, with the top three: Chamaré Caffoen, Esethu Bhobhozayo and Seria Pretorius. Photos: Cornelle Carstens